Venice writer tells how the government really works

Published: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 2:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 2:31 p.m.

VENICE - If there is any topic people will readily share their opinions about it is government.

Facts

INTERESTED?

WHAT: Venice Book Fair & Writers Festival

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Centennial Park and Venice Theatre in downtown Venice

MORE INFORMATION: Daniel Rubin, author of “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say,” will appear at noon. To learn about others writers who will attend and the complete schedule of events, go to venicebookfair.com.

Taxes, Congress, the president, the Bill of Rights and other related topics are sure to get tongues wagging.

So, among the many writers at Saturday's Venice Book Fair & Writers Festival, a local one is especially likely to get a lively discussion started.

Venice High School teacher Daniel Rubin recently published “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say.”

State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, will join him at noon for a talk about his interpretations of the intent behind the U.S. Constitution, how special interests can try to obscure that intent and what misconceptions many Americans have about their government.

We asked Rubin a few questions to get that discussion started.

Q: What caused you to shift from a career as a lawyer to that of a teacher?

A: Although I am still an active attorney, after 23 years of running a law practice I found myself growing bored. Due to being diagnosed with “cold weather related asthma,” I purchased a house in Venice in 2005 and moved to live here full time.

Coincidentally, my son Nathan had completed his first year of high school baseball in Ohio and had expressed a desire to play instead in Florida . . .

I passed all of the requisite exams to teach and was lucky to be hired at Venice High in 2007. I have never looked back. For the past four years, I have taught Dual Enrollment and Honors American History as well as Advanced Placement United States Government and American Politics.

Q: Has your background as a lawyer been of benefit to you as a teacher of those courses?

A: My background as an attorney has benefited me greatly. While practicing law in Ohio, I engaged in local and state politics, assisting candidates with their campaigns. In that capacity, I was privileged to be invited to various swearing-ins and an inauguration of a governor. I was also an active member of the county's most prominent political party's Chairman's Club, which gave me easy access to politicians on the state and federal levels.

I then took the personal plunge by running for my local City Council, only to lose. I was assured by my political party that I would win in my next election, but I chose instead to assist other candidates (who went on to win) and move to Florida instead. It is anyone's guess where I would be today had I stayed in Ohio and continued playing politics.

In addition to those experiences, I attended Indiana University for both my undergraduate and graduate education in American history prior to attending law school.

My first passion has always been American history and, over the past 35 years, I have paid particular attention to constitutional law. My legal background has enhanced my ability to decipher Supreme Court decisions and the rationale behind those decisions. It has also helped me to explain constitutional law and history to my students.

Q: What prompted you to write “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say"?

A: I sat down to write “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say” because I grew weary of the misinformation about our Constitution being spread in the media and repeated over and over by an unfortunately ignorant electorate. I decided someone had to stand up and explain how our government really works so that Americans can be re-engaged in our democracy and be less susceptible to cynical manipulation by politicians using talking points and narratives to stir ideological emotions.

Although it may appear harmless, many citizens have been misinformed by politicians, interest groups and some of the media without being able to recognize the manipulation that is occurring. I find this corrosive to our democracy and felt I had a duty to speak out by writing this book — and I am not done.

I will continue to speak to the public and will continue to write to educate. I am finding many Americans share my concern about our democracy and the need to expand our understanding of our government, so there is a willing audience to learn — and I am happy to teach them what I have learned over the past 35 years.

Q: What are some of the public's general misconceptions about the executive, legislative and judicial branches?

A: The common misconceptions about our government are the roles each institution are to play as created by the framers in the Constitution. There are seven articles and 27 amendments, yet I find very few Americans that even know either they all exist or at least what they say. I also find most Americans have a fundamental misunderstanding of the checks and balances along with the separation of powers created in the Constitution and the role the Supreme Court has in interpreting the Constitution (which I consider our democratic-republic's “Owners Manual"). It frustrates me how many Americans repeat incorrect information about our government because they see it on social media or ideologically oriented media.

Q: Do you feel the true intent of the framers of the U.S. Constitution often gets overlooked or ignored because of special interests?

A: Founding Fathers fought the Revolution and created the Articles of Confederation (which failed miserably). Over 10 years later, the framers met to create the Constitution and its form of Federalism. Most folks have no idea what Federalism is even about, but the framers knew and endorsed it. Very few of the signers of the Constitution were signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

Most folks also have never heard of Shay's Rebellion nor have any understanding of the Whiskey Rebellion and the roles they played in the ratification of the Constitution and the powers granted to the federal government to quell insurrection.

Bottom line — a lot of American history is involved in understanding the Constitution.

Q: Does your book also address state and local government?

A: Although my book does not address state and local government, it does provide enough insight into political parties, interest groups and the media to give pause to the average voter.

Q: How did Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, become part of your presentation on Saturday at the Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival?

A: Sen. Nancy Detert was invited by the Venice Book Fair. I was asked to participate with her and I readily accepted.

Q: Are you enjoying your new career as an author, the book signings and special appearances? What comments and questions are you hearing from the general public?

A: At first, I shied away from considering myself to be an “author” but it has grown on me. I love talking with folks about our great history and the Constitution and find fulfillment when so many ask me for guidance and instruction. Many opportunities are opening up for me as a result of the book and I am enjoying every minute of it. Although making money from book sales is nice, continuing to talk and teach American history and United States government and American politics is extremely fulfilling. If I can “create a spark” of additional interest about our government, politics and the Constitution, then I am even more pleased. Thus far I have been invited to speak as far away as Colorado.

The comments I have received have been from a general “Thank you for writing such an important book” to “Every citizen should keep a copy handy” to “It's about time someone reminded us we have the power to change our government!” The book has been extremely well received. To have peers also comment that it is ”extremely accurate” also gives me great satisfaction.

<p><em>VENICE</em> - If there is any topic people will readily share their opinions about it is government. </p><p>Taxes, Congress, the president, the Bill of Rights and other related topics are sure to get tongues wagging.</p><p>So, among the many writers at Saturday's Venice Book Fair & Writers Festival, a local one is especially likely to get a lively discussion started.</p><p>Venice High School teacher Daniel Rubin recently published “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say.”</p><p>State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, will join him at noon for a talk about his interpretations of the intent behind the U.S. Constitution, how special interests can try to obscure that intent and what misconceptions many Americans have about their government.</p><p>We asked Rubin a few questions to get that discussion started.</p><p><i>Q: What caused you to shift from a career as a lawyer to that of a teacher?</i></p><p>A: Although I am still an active attorney, after 23 years of running a law practice I found myself growing bored. Due to being diagnosed with “cold weather related asthma,” I purchased a house in Venice in 2005 and moved to live here full time.</p><p>Coincidentally, my son Nathan had completed his first year of high school baseball in Ohio and had expressed a desire to play instead in Florida . . .</p><p>I passed all of the requisite exams to teach and was lucky to be hired at Venice High in 2007. I have never looked back. For the past four years, I have taught Dual Enrollment and Honors American History as well as Advanced Placement United States Government and American Politics.</p><p><i>Q: Has your background as a lawyer been of benefit to you as a teacher of those courses?</i></p><p>A: My background as an attorney has benefited me greatly. While practicing law in Ohio, I engaged in local and state politics, assisting candidates with their campaigns. In that capacity, I was privileged to be invited to various swearing-ins and an inauguration of a governor. I was also an active member of the county's most prominent political party's Chairman's Club, which gave me easy access to politicians on the state and federal levels.</p><p>I then took the personal plunge by running for my local City Council, only to lose. I was assured by my political party that I would win in my next election, but I chose instead to assist other candidates (who went on to win) and move to Florida instead. It is anyone's guess where I would be today had I stayed in Ohio and continued playing politics.</p><p>In addition to those experiences, I attended Indiana University for both my undergraduate and graduate education in American history prior to attending law school.</p><p>My first passion has always been American history and, over the past 35 years, I have paid particular attention to constitutional law. My legal background has enhanced my ability to decipher Supreme Court decisions and the rationale behind those decisions. It has also helped me to explain constitutional law and history to my students.</p><p><i>Q: What prompted you to write “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say"?</i></p><p>A: I sat down to write “How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say” because I grew weary of the misinformation about our Constitution being spread in the media and repeated over and over by an unfortunately ignorant electorate. I decided someone had to stand up and explain how our government really works so that Americans can be re-engaged in our democracy and be less susceptible to cynical manipulation by politicians using talking points and narratives to stir ideological emotions.</p><p>Although it may appear harmless, many citizens have been misinformed by politicians, interest groups and some of the media without being able to recognize the manipulation that is occurring. I find this corrosive to our democracy and felt I had a duty to speak out by writing this book — and I am not done.</p><p>I will continue to speak to the public and will continue to write to educate. I am finding many Americans share my concern about our democracy and the need to expand our understanding of our government, so there is a willing audience to learn — and I am happy to teach them what I have learned over the past 35 years.</p><p><i>Q: What are some of the public's general misconceptions about the executive, legislative and judicial branches?</i></p><p>A: The common misconceptions about our government are the roles each institution are to play as created by the framers in the Constitution. There are seven articles and 27 amendments, yet I find very few Americans that even know either they all exist or at least what they say. I also find most Americans have a fundamental misunderstanding of the checks and balances along with the separation of powers created in the Constitution and the role the Supreme Court has in interpreting the Constitution (which I consider our democratic-republic's “Owners Manual"). It frustrates me how many Americans repeat incorrect information about our government because they see it on social media or ideologically oriented media.</p><p><i>Q: Do you feel the true intent of the framers of the U.S. Constitution often gets overlooked or ignored because of special interests?</i></p><p>A: Founding Fathers fought the Revolution and created the Articles of Confederation (which failed miserably). Over 10 years later, the framers met to create the Constitution and its form of Federalism. Most folks have no idea what Federalism is even about, but the framers knew and endorsed it. Very few of the signers of the Constitution were signatories of the Declaration of Independence.</p><p>Most folks also have never heard of Shay's Rebellion nor have any understanding of the Whiskey Rebellion and the roles they played in the ratification of the Constitution and the powers granted to the federal government to quell insurrection.</p><p>Bottom line — a lot of American history is involved in understanding the Constitution.</p><p><i>Q: Does your book also address state and local government?</i></p><p>A: Although my book does not address state and local government, it does provide enough insight into political parties, interest groups and the media to give pause to the average voter.</p><p><i>Q: How did Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, become part of your presentation on Saturday at the Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival?</i></p><p>A: Sen. Nancy Detert was invited by the Venice Book Fair. I was asked to participate with her and I readily accepted.</p><p><i>Q: Are you enjoying your new career as an author, the book signings and special appearances? What comments and questions are you hearing from the general public?</i></p><p>A: At first, I shied away from considering myself to be an “author” but it has grown on me. I love talking with folks about our great history and the Constitution and find fulfillment when so many ask me for guidance and instruction. Many opportunities are opening up for me as a result of the book and I am enjoying every minute of it. Although making money from book sales is nice, continuing to talk and teach American history and United States government and American politics is extremely fulfilling. If I can “create a spark” of additional interest about our government, politics and the Constitution, then I am even more pleased. Thus far I have been invited to speak as far away as Colorado.</p><p>The comments I have received have been from a general “Thank you for writing such an important book” to “Every citizen should keep a copy handy” to “It's about time someone reminded us we have the power to change our government!” The book has been extremely well received. To have peers also comment that it is ”extremely accurate” also gives me great satisfaction.</p>